Brooke Theis shares her top fashion picks from boutiques around Surrey and the South to keep you stylish at any age.
In a world where everyone from 8 to 80 has a pair of skinny jeans, we no longer have to live within strict confines of 'age appropriate' dressing. Designer Veronica Swanson Beard concurs, "dressing your age means feeling comfortable in your own skin." There may come a time where you decide to swerve the leather leggings and opt instead for high-waisted culottes. At such times, glorious shopping opportunities await!
20s
You've made it past the teen years and your most regrettable sartorial decisions are well and truly behind you. Now is the time to invest in some key pieces to usher you through your first decade of adulthood. You may not be able to afford your dream house yet, but those cherished paychecks can bring you closer to that dream jacket or dress.
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Bliss Victorian Blouse
My Sunday Morning
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Tropical Print Skirt
Marc Cain
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EEVA_RINNE
Bethany Leather Jacket
Bruuns Bazaar
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Off-Shoulder Floor-Length Dress
Rebecca Taylor
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Brandie Pointed Flats
Sam Edelman
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Alana High-Rise Coated Jeans
J Brand
Clockwise from top left: My Sunday Morning Victorian Blouse, £59, Feather and Stitch; Marc Cain Tropical Skirt, £135, Fluidity F2; Bruuns Bazaar Bethany Jacket, £389, Peek Boutique; J Brand Coated Jeans, £299, Fluidity F2; Sam Edelman Brandie Flats, £85, Bernard Boutique; Rebecca Taylor Off-Shoulder Dress, £580, Fluidity F2.
30s
The thing about turning 30 is that it's pretty much the same as turning 29. Nothing seismic happens; you don't develop an overnight penchant for wooly cardigans. Yet now is the time to step-up your style game! With your 30s come many professional and personal milestones, so you'll need the outfits to match.
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Heart Breton Jersey Tee
Chinti & Parker
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Perri Mules
Sam Edelman
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Navy Silk Bomber Jacket
Second Female
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Anya Grey Cropped Jeans
J Brand
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Hanie Cold-Shoulder Dress
Iro
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Riga Twirl Earrings
Maria Black
Clockwise from top left: Chinti & Parker Heart Breton Tee, £95, Fluidity F2; Sam Edelman Silver Mules, £105, Bernard Boutique; Second Female Bomber Jacket, £115, Hengelo; J Brand Crop Jeans, £210, Bernard Boutique; Iro Cold-Shoulder Dress, £260, Bernard Boutique; Maria Black Earrings, £104, Bernard Boutique
40s
Women in their 40s often think their age means they have to dress a certain way: it absolutely doesn't. The only adjustment Cameron Diaz says she made to her wardrobe after hitting 40 was ditching 'tube tops'. Although Cameron has the body of a goddess and definitely could wear tube tops if she wanted, what I take from her statement is this: wear what makes you feel good. Contrary to some reports, you have a stylistic right to bright prints and floaty florals.
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Agnette Bleached Grey Jacket
Iro
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Peacock Embroidered Espadrilles
Soludos
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Fine Summer Star Scarf
Becksondergaard
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Weekend Stretch Jade Cotton Trousers
Max Mara
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Reef Print Dress
Zadig & Voltaire
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Rooney Crinkle Blouse
Velvet
Clockwise from top left: Iro Agnette Jacket, £395, Bernard Boutique; Soludos Peacock Espadrilles, £65, Hengelo; Becksondergaard Star Print Scarf, £25, Hengelo; Max Mara Jade Print Trousers, £145, Fluidity F2; Zadig & Voltaire Reef Dress, £404, Fluidity F2; Velvet Rooney Crinkle Blouse, £165, Fluidity F2
50s+
Being over 50 has never looked better: Liz Hurley, Julianne Moore, Nadia Sawalha, Sandra Bullock and Elle Macpherson are all in the club. There are no longer rules for dressing over 50, so follow the lifelong wardrobe detox guidelines: does it fit and when did I last wear it? If the answers to those questions are 'no' and 'I don't remember', donate it.
Every outfit needs a showstopper, so fight the frump and add a bold print, a touch of silk, a glimmer of metallic- whatever takes your fancy.
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Lilies Silk Panel Draped Top
Rick Owens
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Silk Print Trousers
Marc Cain
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Peach & Rose Gold Bee Watch
Olivia Burton
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Printed Shirt Dress
Max Mara
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Jordy Python Effect Slip-On Trainers
Ash
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Bia Long Bomber Jacket
Soia & Kyo
Clockwise from top left: Rick Owens Silk Panelled Draped Top, £260, Bernard Boutique; Marc Cain Silk Print Trousers, £199, Fluidity F2; Olivia Burton Bee Watch, £135, Hengelo; Max Mara Shirt Dress, £209, Fluidity F2; Ash Slip-On Trainers, £159, Bernard Boutique; Soia & Kyo Long Bomber Jacker, £390, Peek Boutique
Boutique Locations
- Bernard Boutique: 4-8 High Street, Esher; www.bernardboutique.com
- Feather and Stitch: 16 King St, Richmond; www.featherandstitch.com
- Fluidity F2: 43-45 Bell Street, Henley on Thames; www.fluidity-f2.com
- Hengelo: 8-10 West Street, Haslemere; www.hengeloshop.com
- Peek Boutique: 16 Station Parade, Virginia Water; www.peekboutique.co.uk
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